Premier Rasool will host host 1 000 guests, led by President Thabo Mbeki at a gala fundraising dinner for 'Operation Timbuktu' at the CTICC tomorrow evening [Friday the 8th]. All 100 of the tables have been sold to a range of business and other parties, eager to support this important and ground breaking initiative. Many National Cabinet Ministers, MECs and a cross spectrum of dilpomatic, cultural, academic, media and other leaders will also attend.

Funds raised will contribute toward the first NEPAD Cultural Project which aims to preserve and celebrate a unique selection of 13th Century manuscripts in the Malian city of Timbuktu. These have been described by Dr Shamil Jeppie of UCT as 'tangible evidence of African scholarship, of Africans reading and writing, at extremely high levels of sophistication, centuries before colonialism.' The funds from the fundraising dinner are specifically earmarked for the construction of the library.

The Master of Ceremonies for the Evening will be Premier Rasool and the key note address will be delivered by President Thabo Mbeki - who was first introduced to the manuscripts in Timbuktu in 2001. Entertainment will be provided by the world renown and award winning Malian Jazz musician Ali Farka Toure and Cape Town's own internationally recognised Abdullah Ebrahim. The CTICC will be decorated in a unique way to represent the manuscripts and the African history and identities that they represent. The menu will have a strong Malian influence.

The symbolic flag raising ceremony at the Heerengracht circle on Monday morning the 4th April, in which Premier Rasool and Mayor Mfeketo raised the flags of Africa, including that of Mali, represented the reconnection of the Western Cape and Cape Town with our Continent and the important role that our support for the Mali manuscripts - 'Operation Timbuktu' will have in this.

In the words of Premier Rasool: "It is only in reclaiming our African identity, linkages, history and future we can build our Home for All into the fullness of its promise. The generous contributions toward this project by the people of the Western Cape demonstrates our growing commitment to being African. It also signifies the realisation that as a Province, we have a lot to give to, and a lot to gain from Africa's renaissance".

Please contact either Clayton Wakeford on [082 827 8792] or Vicky Stark [082 786 4240] for any further information.

Please note that media invitations have already been distributed.

A Home for All ~ 'n Tuiste vir Almal ~ iKhaya Lethu Sonke

http://www.capegateway.gov.za